Despite a dearth of minutes, Arsenal have reportedly decided not to cut short the loan of Eddie Nketiah to Leeds United. The striker has yet to start a match in the Championship and spoken of his discontent at the situation.
Eddie Nketiah to Stay at Leeds for Duration of Loan
Productive Yet No Starts
Nketiah has scored five times in 12 appearances for Marcelo Bielsa. However, all of those 12 appearances have come from the bench for the England U-21 international.
The on-loan Arsenal man has spoken out about his discontent at this situation and his loan deal does have a clause allowing the north London outfit to recall Eddie Nketiah in Janaury. Bristol Rovers registered interest in taking the player should this occur.
Regardless of his new destination, however, popular thought held that the Gunners would activate this clause and find a new opportunity for Nketiah. According to Alan Nixon of the Sun, Arsenal are now happy to let the player stay at Elland Road for the duration of the season.
Interim Arsenal head coach Freddie Ljungberg managed Eddie Nketiah for the club’s U-23 side. The Swede said of the player:
“I need to be careful [what I say] but I think Eddie is a great player. If he goes on loan we want him to play football and get minutes otherwise they can maybe be here.
“I feel a bit sorry for him because he is a great player and the future of this club. When he has had his chance he scores goals and that’s what he is about.”
When Will the Big Chance Come?
Eddie Nketiah also suffered through a similar spell with the Arsenal first team last season. With third-choice striker Danny Welbeck injured and unavailable for the year, Nketiah had to stay at the club in case of an extended absence of either Alexandre Lacazette or Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
This never came to pass and the young striker didn’t quite get the chances he craved. He also missed out on a few U-23 matches, hampering his development. He must feel as though history is repeating itself.
Through no fault of his own, Nketiah is once again in a situation that he cannot control and in which he is not playing the minutes he wants or needs as a player. This is a huge test of mental strength and it will show just what kind of a player he really is.
If Eddie Nketiah continues on scoring, the big break will come. However, if his head drops and performances suffer, he may not get that chance, at least not at Arsenal.
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